Chizuk, generously supported by the AVI CHAI Foundation, is an initiative designed to enable Lehku Lakhem Fellows to take the next steps to significantly raise the bar for Jewish life, Jewish learning, Jewish identity, and Israel experiences in their camps through the addition of a Jewish programming director (Chizuk Fellow.) The mandate of the Chizuk Fellow is to touch all aspects of the camp and organically integrate meaningful, purposeful, quality Jewish content and experiences that add to the magic and joy of the camp program.

Chizuk Fellows are senior level Jewish educators who have a solid grounding in education, along with extensive experience in camping. Chizuk Fellows work directly with camp directors to implement the directors’ visions for Jewish education at their camp, functioning to coordinate all facets of Jewish content and experiences for campers and staff alike.

Contact

Dr. David Ackerman

Leads the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Center for Jewish Education, which helps JCCs improve their ability to be excellent venues for Jewish living and learning through the Jewish and educational training and development of senior personnel, along with elevating the Judaic nature of JCCs in all program areas.

Beth Garfinkle Hancock

Chizuk Director & Program Manager of JCC LTI

Charged with recruiting, screening, placing and training Chizuk Fellows/ Jewish Programming Directors in overnight Jewish summer camps throughout North America (with a grant from the AVI CHAI Foundation). As part of the leadership team for JCC Leadership Training Institute (LTI), Beth is involved in developing program content, sourcing speakers and facilitating workshops, as well as helping create networking opportunities for all of the participants.